Tough choices ahead for Hampshire police

Chief Constable and Police Commissioner will be asking; How do we protect critical frontline resource? What do the public want us to prioritise? And, what do we need to stop doing to deliver against that mandate?

In response to reports of a significant reduction in the Home Office budget as part of today’s Comprehensive Spending Review, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes and Chief Constable Andy Marsh have issued a joint statement:

“This confirms that there are tough choices ahead for the police, especially in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight where we already have the third lowest costing force.

“That is why, as we examine the detail of today’s announcement, we will be asking: How do we protect critical frontline resource? What do the public want us to prioritise? And, what do we need to stop doing to deliver against that mandate?

“Thanks to the commitment of so many police staff and officers, we are on track to deliver savings of £55m in response to the first spending review. Victim satisfaction of the service they receive from police is increasing, and with partners and the support of the community we have cut crime by record amounts. But, at a time when police are being asked to do more than ever before, something will have to give.

“We have already laid some firm foundations for the future. This includes building new partnerships with a range of other organisations, driving down the long term cost of the police estate by selling unnecessary buildings, and investing in cutting edge technology such as Body Worn Video.

“Ultimately, the decisions that we make in the coming months must enable us to do two things; protect the safety of our communities in the long term and further improve the level of service that we provide to victims of crime. The public will stand for nothing less.”